The World Leaders Statement in Support of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) succinctly reaffirms the commitment to implement the Programme of Action agreed to by more than 179 nations in Cairo, Egypt in 1994. The ICPD action plan is a 20-year vision for health and human rights, women and development. The purpose of the World Leaders Statement is threefold:

1. to reaffirm the ICPD's vision at its midpoint;
2. to galvanize support in the public and private sectors; and
3. to generate new momentum for achievement of ICPD goals.

The World Leaders Statement in Support of the ICPD demonstrates government, non-governmental, business, scientific, religious, youth and other support for full implementation of the Programme of Action, which is essential for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The World Leaders Statement succinctly underscores the ICPD's vision for economic, social and environmental progress for all the world's people.

The launch of the World Leaders Statement in Support of the ICPD on October 13, 2004, will help commence progress toward achievement of ICPD goals in the coming decade. In the coming months, additional signatures will be welcomed to help complement and advance preparations for the 10-year anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 2005) and the UN Summit meeting in September 2005 to review the first five years of progress toward achieving the MDGs and halve the proportion of people living in poverty by 2015.

Invitations for initial signatures to the World Leaders Statement were sent to leaders and distinguished representatives of key societal sectors, including government, business, science, religion, youth, health and rights, philanthropy and development. The initial signatories include distinguished leaders in each of these fields.

The World Leaders Supporting the ICPD Statement is a project of the Summit
Foundation and the United Nations Foundation, which support efforts to
implement the ICPD Programme of Action around the world.

For more information, contact us at leadersstatement@qwest.net